Summer VHF skip frequencies to scan

[Gary P]

Following up on what John talked about on the net tonight (see net report excerpt below if you missed it), here are more frequency notes for those looking to catch some regional DX on 2 meters.

Repeater Frequencies to Scan

Repeaters have two output bands in the 2m range (145.11-145.49 and 146.61-147.39). Here's what nearby states are using:

For IN, IL, WI, KY, OH, MI repeater outputs in bottom subband:

Scan 145.110-145.490 in 20 khz (0.020 Mhz) steps.

For IN, IL, WI, KY, OH repeater outputs (not MI) in top subband:

Scan 146.610-147.390 in 15 khz (0.015 Mhz) steps. (IN/IL/WI/KY/OH)

For MI repeater outputs in top subband:

Scan 146.610-147.390 in 20 khz (0.020 Mhz) steps.

Scanning just the 15 khz steps will pick up some of the Michigan repeaters where 15 and 20 khz steps overlap. (Or use 5 khz steps but it will be slower.)

Using Repeater Book to Identify The Repeater

Then just look up the frequency on www.repeaterbook.com to see the likely possibilities. If it's obvious, program the tone and input freq in and try to reach it. Or just wait for a Morse Code repeater ID to confirm which it is. (General rule is input freq is -0.6 khz for repeaters below 147 and +0.6 for above 147, but there are exceptions.)

For instance, if I hear a 146.64 repeater, search Repeater Book for that freq and "view map". It could be Detroit MI, Dayton OH, Bloomington IN, Bloomington IL, Chicago IL, or South Bend IN. Or perhaps farther away. Start trying input tones for those and see what you get!

If you have an account on Repeater Book (free!), you can use proximity search and it will show you all repeaters on a frequency within 200 miles, sorted by distance. 

Proximity Search Page:

https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/prox2.php

Here's that distance list for 146.64:

https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/prox2_result.php?lat=39.934&long=-85.887&distance=200&freq=146.64&mode%5B%5D=1

Repeaters Rockin? Try Simplex!

If the repeaters are blazing in, try on simplex FM too!  146.52 of course, but also try the channels near that if it's too crowded. Here's a simplex band plan below. Most states use the 15 kHz plan but Michigan uses the 20 kHz spacing. 146.46, 146.49, 146.52, 146.55, and 146.58 are probably the most common simplex channels besides the national calling frequency of 146.52.

Simplex 15 kHz Channels

146.400, 146.415, 146.430, 146.445, 146.460, 146.475, 146.490, 146.505, 146.520, 146.535, 146.550, 146.565, 146.580, 146.595, 147.405, 147.420, 147.435, 147.450, 147.465, 147.480, 147.495, 147.510, 147.525, 147.540, 147.555, 147.570, 147.585

Simplex 20 kHz Channels

146.400, 146.420, 146.440, 146.460, 146.480, 146.500, 146.520, 146.540, 146.560, 146.580, 146.600, 147.400, 147.420, 147.440, 147.460, 147.480, 147.500, 147.520, 147.540, 147.560, 147.580

If you are ever unsure what the bandplan is for the state you're in, you are always safe picking one of these. (And they are easy to remember!)

Simplex Frequencies Shared Between 15 and 20 kHz Bandplans:

146.40, 146.46, 146.52, 146.58, 147.42, 147.48, 147.54

Here's a map of what channel spacingeach state uses for simplex.

Good regional DXing!

----

FROM TONIGHT'S NET REPORT:

VHF/UHF Band Openings
This Time of Year: Primarily due to weather (Temperature Inversions)

Per John (W9KD):
Early in the morning you might happen to catch a band opening and be able to talk simplex with another ham in a different city (and often a different state). You might also hear a distant repeater and if you can look up the PL tone (knowing the city and the Frequency you are listening to) you can talk to other hams on that distant repeater.
This typically only happens in the mornings and it can be a bit of fun. So, be sure to listen early in the day during the hot summer months. Extreme power and/or extreme antennas are not required. 20 Watts and a reasonable antenna will likely do the trick.

---